Principal Legal officer - Grade PO4 in Leeds

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: Full Time – 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds City Centre

This is a rolling advert, however applications will be shortlisted at the end of each month. Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city. We serve an outstanding Children’s & Families Department, and seek a full time Principal Legal Officer (PO4) to practise primarily in the area of Children’s Social Care Law.

About you:

• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritise your own workload
• Manage a personal caseload
• Act as an advocate in contested hearings
• Work to tight court deadlines
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Be flexible, enthusiastic and committed

About the role:

You will undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Children’s Social Care. As our next Principal Legal Officer (PO4), you’ll actively support the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Best City Ambition. The role is integral to our Social Care Legal team. You will be supported by an experienced team of Principal Legal Officers (PO6), Legal Officers and Legal Assistants; with supervision and management by a Team Leader. This position would suit a newly qualified solicitor or Legal Executive (with advocacy certificate (family). Previous experience of child care law would be welcomed but not essential.

What we offer you:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply:

Complete online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application. Closing date for applications: 23 May 2026. Interviews shall take place periodically in the month following each round of shortlisting. We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Purpose:

The section covers the following areas of work: Children’s Social Care Law. The postholder will provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Leeds Ambitions. The post holder would be expected to deal with advice and contested hearings, with more complex advice and advocacy being dealt with by higher graded officers.

Responsibilities:

• Undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work primarily in the area of Children’s Social Care Legal Work.
• Provide support on other areas of law as required, and any other local government legal matters and/or matters dealt with by Legal Services.
• Contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
• Draft and issue court and other documentation as necessary including instructions to counsel.
• Conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court and provide advice/updates as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
• Attend court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals with counsel as instructing representative if required.
• Undertake advocacy on cases where appropriate including contested hearings.
• Draft legal documentation, agreements and advice.
• Work flexibly to support other staff across the Service and as part of a team to cover court, tribunal/inquiries/appeals commitments and other work as required.
• Provide advice to clients both orally and in writing.
• Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
• Prepare and deliver training for clients and colleagues with regard to law and practice relating to their functions and work.
• Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate, the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competence framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations.
• Attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council as required.
• Carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as required commensurate with the grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or FCILEX. (and Legal Executive Advocate Certificate (Family).

Personal Specification Essential Requirements:

It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:

• Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required:

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• Plan and organise own workload, with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines.
• Act as an advocate on behalf of the Council including dealing with contested hearings.
• Work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
• Establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the Council.
• Grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
• Resolve a wide range of legal problems in a local government context.
• Draft and prepare clear and concise documents, procedures, guidance notes, reports, statements, letters and memoranda.
• Carry out effective legal research.
• Contribute directly to generate external income.
• Work flexibly across the Service as required.
• Professional approach and presentation.
• A willingness to work flexibly beyond normal office hours.

Knowledge Required:

• Of the law and practice relating to Children’s Social Care Law and to local government.
• Aware of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.

Experience Required:

• Of managing and dealing with a personal caseload.
• Of advocacy e.g. courts/tribunal/inquiries/appeals including experience in dealing with contested hearings, as appropriate.
• Of providing advice to clients.
• Of assisting others in providing training, preferably legal.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required:

• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Ability to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
• Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.